Kates & Barlow's Awards and Distinctions

The U.S.News & World Report rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. Since the firm’s inception, Kates & Barlow has had a Tier 1 ranking.

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer-review. It is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. Peter Barlow has been listed in this publication for more than 10 years.

The American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators (AACFL) provides its member firms with customized training in the financial aspects of litigation including accounting, taxation, investments, valuation, forensics and compensation. The CFL is a designation awarded by the organization to select practitioners who have received this high level training and passed the CFL examination. Peter Barlow is on the AACGL Advisory Board. Peter Barlow, Emily Nicholson and Amanda Vanderhorst have each received their designations as a Certified Financial Litigator.

Only lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement receive this recognition. Peter Barlow has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2006. Since 2014, Amanda Vanderhorst has been named to the Rising Star list and in 2016 Emily Nicholson also earned this distinction.

The Mission of the American Inns of Court is to foster excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills within the association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals.

The Greater Boston Family Law Inn of Court is a collective of family law attorneys in the Boston area whose goal is to increase civility within the family law bar and to mentor each other in an effort to strive towards being better practitioners. Peter Barlow is the Founding President having secured the Inn's initial charter in July 2013.

American Institute is an impartial third-party attorney rating organization that recognizes excellence of practitioners in the legal profession. The list of the “10 Best” Attorneys must have attained the highest degree of professional achievement and maintain an impeccable Client Satisfaction rating.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Peter Barlow has been cycling in the Best Buddies Hyannisport Challenge since its’ first year, to raise money and awareness for this incredible organization. He is joined by several staff members who ride as Team Kates & Barlow. The firm employs a Buddy from the jobs program.

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education aims to keep raising the caliber of lawyers' professional and ethical service to their clients and communities, by providing comprehensive and practical continuing legal education of the highest quality to the broadest possible audience. Peter Barlow serves as MCLE's Family Law Advisory Panel in addition to being a frequent lecturer.